“Damn,” said Bette.

“I covered your nipples. Give me credit for that?” said Sidney.

“Yeah, well covering my nipples just saved you your life. I would have had to kill you.”

“Ouch.”

“Your pain is so transparent. So many artists try to capture what you’ve captured. It’s like your work is beyond your years.”

Sidney smiled. “When I was drawing, I could block out everything but the scene in my mind. It totally captured me. But don’t worry. This one’s just for my personal pain. I have no intention of sharing it with anyone.”

Bette sighed. “I’m a fool. I know I’m a fool.”

“What do you mean?”

“I want to tell you to take these drawings and burn them up. But I can’t. They are true masterpieces. They should be hanging on the wall at a gallery somewhere, not shoved into your closet. I feel all of this pain just looking at them. And I was the one who felt wronged by you. But your work makes me understand your pain and see the happiness you felt. I love art. And the art loving part of me wants you to share your gift.”

Sidney stared curiously at Bette. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

Sidney frowned and sighed. Bette was so special to her, she couldn’t see sharing her with anyone. She was grateful for the support and encouragement, but she knew that right now, she was going to hold the sketches close to her heart.

“Well, we’ll see. Maybe one day. I just wanted to share them with you.”

Bette’s look grew softer and a warm smile slid across her cheeks. “I’m glad you did. Thank you.”

They were interrupted by Dana’s return. Both women looked toward the door. Sidney hastily rolled the drawing up, just in time to hear her roommate’s voice chime from across the room.

“Hey guys,” said Dana.

Sidney and Bette replied in union. “Hey.”

The bronzed freshman cleared her throat. “Well, I’m gonna get going. It was good to see you, Sidney.”

“Likewise.”

Dana suddenly remembered that today was to be an important one for the two women before her. “Oh shit. I missed the meeting. How did everything go? Did you win? Good news? Bad news?”

Bette smiled. “We both won.”

Dana’s warm brown eyes lit up. Her genuine excitement and enthusiasm was contagious. “Awesome! That’s great news. I’m so happy for you guys.”

Shy thankyous followed Dana’s words of congratulations.

“How is Tina? Is she happy? Where is she?” asked Dana.

Sidney and Bette gave each other quiet looks. “She umm….she couldn’t make it. She had an emergency,” said Bette.

“Oh bummer. She’s gonna hate that she missed it,” Dana replied.

Bette fought the urge to say, “Really?” Instead, she pulled a few curly locks behind her ear and said, “Yeah. Well, I gotta take off. Thanks again, Sidney. Dana….I’ll call you later.”

The tennis player nodded. “Cool. I’ll be around.”

And seconds later, Bette was gone.
Sidney hadn’t wanted her to leave, but she knew that Bette had to go. Their quiet friendship / reconnection time had ended. The artistic young blonde put her drawings back in their hiding place, sighing to herself. Already missing Bette’s presence.

‘I hope Tina really does support her. Bette deserves that. She deserves the best. I hope Tina understands what she really has,’ Sidney thought to herself.

She turned to Dana and smiled. “So, what were you and Lara up here doing?”

To Be Continued…..